“Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover.”
Context and Background: Exodus 12 recounts the events leading up to the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. It describes the final plague that God sent upon Egypt, the death of the firstborn, and the institution of the Passover feast. The verse in focus, Exodus 12:21, takes place just before the final plague is executed.
Moses’ Instruction to the Elders: In this verse, Moses calls for all the elders of Israel, the leaders of the community, to gather. Moses then gives them specific instructions regarding the Passover celebration. He tells them to select a lamb for each family and prepare it for the Passover meal.
The Significance of the Lamb: The lamb mentioned in this verse is a crucial element of the Passover feast. It serves as a sacrificial offering, symbolizing the Israelites’ redemption and deliverance from slavery. The blood of the lamb would be applied to the doorposts of their houses, marking them as God’s chosen people and ensuring that the plague of the firstborn would “pass over” them.
Personal and Family Responsibility: By instructing each family to take a lamb, Moses emphasizes personal and family responsibility in the observance of the Passover. This highlights the importance of individual faith and obedience within the larger community. Each family had to take the initiative to choose a lamb and participate in the Passover ceremony.
Symbolism and Foreshadowing: The lamb’s blood applied to the doorposts foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, referred to as the “Lamb of God” in the New Testament (John 1:29). Just as the blood of the Passover lamb protected the Israelites, Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross provides salvation and protection from spiritual death for all who believe in Him.
Application to Our Lives:
- Faith and Obedience: The Israelites’ obedience in selecting and sacrificing the Passover lamb teaches us the importance of faith and obedience to God’s instructions. It reminds us that our actions can have spiritual significance.
- Personal Responsibility: Like the Israelite families, we are individually responsible for our relationship with God. We must personally choose to accept Jesus as our Savior and participate in the redemptive work He accomplished on the cross.
- Salvation through Christ: Exodus 12:21 points us to Jesus’ sacrificial death, which provides salvation and deliverance from sin. It serves as a reminder of God’s faithfulness and His desire to save all who trust in Him.
In conclusion, Exodus 12:21 captures the preparations for the Passover feast, highlighting personal and family responsibility in obeying God’s instructions. The verse also carries significant symbolism, pointing to Jesus as the ultimate sacrificial Lamb whose blood brings salvation and deliverance. As we reflect on this passage, may it inspire us to have faith, obey God, and embrace the redemption offered through Jesus Christ.
